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The Effect of Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Actuators on Electromagnetics

Defence Research and Development Canada, Valcartier Research Centre, Quebec QC (CAN)

Abstract

Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) plasma actuators have become very popular during the last decade. In aerodynamics, they have been employed for drag reduction, stability improvement, turbulence control, etc. In this paper the Radar Cross Section (RCS) of a plasma slab and moreover an extra reflection from plasma actuators because of Bragg diffraction are investigated. It was observed that plasma actuators operating in lower altitude conditions produce plasma with a very high collision rate and low electron density. Under these conditions, the dielectric properties of the plasma are not discernable from the air. As a result, at high pressure, the actuator has no significant effect on RCS. In contrast, for higher altitudes the air pressure decreases so electron life time increases and collision rate reduces, so the effect of plasma on incident electromagnetic wave can be observed. Additionally, the use of conventional plasma actuators being used in aerodynamics make more reflections at specific incident angles because of Bragg diffraction. This angle depends on the frequency and the spatial period of the actuator.